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I AM ALS

EIN 83-2016277 · Chicago, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

I AM ALS EXISTS TO SUPPORT AND MOBILIZE THE ALS COMMUNITY FOR THE PURPOSES OF IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE, RAISING AWARENESS, INCREASING FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND ACCESS, AND IDENTIFYING TREATMENTS AND CURES FOR ALS.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
15.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
14
Volunteers
192
Highest pay
$315,762, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 77% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $548,250 spent. COMMUNITY SUPPORTTHE I AM ALS COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM PROVIDES DIRECT EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES, SUPPORT GROUPS, PEER MATCHING, AND INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH ALS, LOVED ONES, AND CAREGIVERS.
  2. $416,876 spent. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, POLICY, AND REASEARCHI AM ALS ENABLES THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES TO INFLUENCE CHANGES TO FEDERAL FUNDING AND TRANSFORM RESEARCH SYSTEMS, INSTITUTIONAL POLICY, AND REGULATORY PROCESSES WITH THE GOALS OF INCREASING RESEARCH FUNDING; IMPROVING PATIENT ACCESS TO TREATMENT; AND SPEEDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND ACCESS OF TREATMENTS AND CURES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALS.
  3. $455,010 spent. COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND COMMUNICATIONI AM ALS MOBILIZES THE ALS COMMUNITY AND FACILITATES WEEKLY TOPIC-BASED, SELF-ORGANIZED TEAMS. INDIVIDUAL ADVOCATES ENGAGE IN VIRTUAL, DIGITAL, AND IN-PERSON ACTIONS TO CATALYZE POLICY CHANGE AND RESEARCH PROGRESS TO END ALS' INCREASE PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL AWARENESS AND COMPETENCY; CHANGE POLICY OUTCOMES; IMPROVE TRIALS AND TREATMENT ACCESS; AND MORE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2019.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.